Which statement about Coast Guard monitoring of DF on 121.5, 156.525, or 243 MHz is true?

Which statement about Coast Guard monitoring of DF on 121.5, 156.525, or 243 MHz is true?

• A. The Coast Guard is required to monitor DF on those frequencies
• B. The Coast Guard is not required to monitor DF on those frequencies
• C. The Coast Guard must monitor DF on all marine frequencies
• D. The Coast Guard monitors only during emergencies

Answer: (B)

Direction finding to locate a distress signal is possible, but there isn’t a standing requirement for the Coast Guard to continuously monitor direction finding on those specific frequencies. Modern SAR systems rely heavily on automated distress alerts (like the 406 MHz satellite-based system), with voice distress on Channel 16 being monitored as a courtesy and to support immediate contact when needed. The DF capability is available and may be used to locate a caller if a situation arises, but it is not mandated as a constant duty for those frequencies. That’s why the statement that it isn’t required to monitor DF on 121.5, 156.525, or 243 MHz is the correct one.

Direction finding to locate a distress signal is possible, but there isn’t a standing requirement for the Coast Guard to continuously monitor direction finding on those specific frequencies. Modern SAR systems rely heavily on automated distress alerts (like the 406 MHz satellite-based system), with voice distress on Channel 16 being monitored as a courtesy and to support immediate contact when needed. The DF capability is available and may be used to locate a caller if a situation arises, but it is not mandated as a constant duty for those frequencies. That’s why the statement that it isn’t required to monitor DF on 121.5, 156.525, or 243 MHz is the correct one.